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Etymologically, Abercorn is a Cumbric place-name meaning "mouth of the Cornie Burn". The name of the stream itself is also Cumbric and seems to derive from *kernan "mound, hill" and so to be named after the hill on which Abercorn stands.[2]

The English monk and historian Bede mentions Abercorn as the site of a monastery and seat of Bishop Trumwine who was the only bishop of the Northumbrian see of the Picts. The monastery is now known to have existed close to the present day church. The church itself dates partially from the 12th century, although its most interesting features are the private aisles created for the three major families of the area, the Dalyells, the Hamiltons, and later the Hopes, who had their own enclosure behind the altar built by architect William Bruce. The Hope mausoleum, designed by William Burn, is located adjacent to the kirkyard.[3] Older burial monuments include Norsemen "hogback" stones, and fragments of 7th century Northumbrian crosses.[4]

The lands of Abercorn were granted to Claud Hamilton in the 16th century. His son was later created the Earl of Abercorn. In the early 17th century, a branch of the Hamilton dynasty moved to Ulster in Ireland. The family would, henceforth, play a major part in Ulster affairs. Thus, the estate was later sold to the Hope family, who were created Earls of Hopetoun, and built Hopetoun House to the east of the village.[4]

Abercorn's population was recorded as 1,044 at the time of the 1821 census, although it has since declined.[5]

Four years later, Trumwine may have been present at the defeat and death of Ecgfrith at the Battle of Dun Nechtain,[8] after which he was forced to flee from his Pictish bishopric, retiring to the monastery at Whitby.[9] The bishopric of Abercorn thus ceased to be a residential diocese.